The Saudi Press Agency (SPA) captured the conjunction of Mars, Jupiter, and the Moon forming a beautiful celestial triangle, visible to the naked eye early Wednesday morning in the skies over Rafha, located in the Northern Borders Region.
Berjis Al-Fulaih, a member of the Afaq Society for Astronomy, told SPA that Mars and Jupiter have significantly different apparent brightness, while the waning crescent Moon appeared below the two planets.
He added that a conjunction occurs when one celestial body appears close to another within a few arc degrees when observed from Earth. This proximity is only apparent, not real, as the actual distance between them is vast, amounting to hundreds of millions of kilometers.
Al-Fulaih pointed out that a conjunction happens when the Moon is in its waning crescent phase and Mars is in a position that makes them appear close in the sky. This phenomenon occurs due to the differing celestial orbits of heavenly bodies around the Earth and the Sun.
The conjunction depends on the
angle between the Moon and Mars relative to the Earth during the event, making the apparent distance between the Moon and Mars small, giving the impression that they are close to each other.
Al-Fulaih stressed that observing conjunctions helps study the positions of celestial bodies and analyzing their movements. This data contributes to a better understanding of celestial orbits and systems, offering an opportunity for astronomy education and hobbies. It enables space enthusiasts to learn about the evolution and movements of celestial bodies, inspiring many to explore and learn about space.
Such events can spark the interest in astronomy of new generations, and could be the beginning of new scientific pursuits.
Source: Saudi Press Agency
